Regulation forbids lavish buildings

The central government has issued a regulation forbidding county authorities in poverty-stricken areas from building lavish office buildings, a senior official said on Friday.

The regulation, issued by the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, states that officials in poor counties should not build extravagant office buildings, Hong Tianyun, deputy director of the office, said at a news conference.

Hong said the regulation is aimed at promoting a high standard of behavior for officials in China's poor counties. It includes what they must do, what they are encouraged to do and what they are forbidden to do.